Niagara hoops completes recruiting class with D.C. guard

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Niagara University added a second prolific scoring guard to its recruiting class with the signing of 6-foot-2 Keleaf Tate, the school officially announced.

Tate, who announced his commitment last month, averaged 23 points a game as a senior and scored more than 30 points six times for Cesar Chavez High School in Washington, D.C.

“We’re excited to round out next year’s recruiting class with Keleaf Tate,” said Niagara coach Chris Casey. “He adds tremendous versatility to our program as both an outstanding ball-handler and as a scorer.”

Tate is a combination point guard and shooting guard. Niagara previously signed 6-foot point guard Dominik Fragala from Arlington, Va., and 6-6 forward Greg Kuakumensah from Worcester, Mass. Fragala averaged 36.9 points a game as a senior.

Niagara loses one underclassman from its roster. Shane Gatling, a 6-1 guard who averaged 11.6 minutes and 4.7 points a game as a freshman, was granted his release to transfer.

Tate helped lead Cesar Chavez to three regular-season titles and two conference tournament titles. He was player of the year in the D.C. Public Charter School Conference. Tate was planning to attend a prep school the coming school year before Niagara’s offer came in. Gatling's departure created the opportunity to add Tate. The Washington Post reported Quinnipiac, Coppin State and Maryland Eastern Shore were among other offers he held.